Underdog Kalaheo hoping to peak in OIA final vs. Moanalua

Kalaheo's Liam York put one of his 19 kills down past the block of Castle's Neilen Kahoopii (9) and Finefeuiaki Mataele (10) in Monday's OIA D-I boys volleyball semifinal at Radford. Photo by Steven Erler/Special to the Star-Advertiser.

There might be all sorts of reasons to believe Moanalua is destined to win the OIA boys volleyball championship for the seventh time in eight seasons.

After all, Na Menehune were smooth as silk in a 25-18, 25-21, 25-15 sweep of Leilehua in the semifinals on Monday night at muggy James Alegre Gymnasium. What Moanalua (12-1) hasn’t seen in quite some time, however, is a 1-2 punch that Kalaheo brings.

The Mustangs (12-1) were dominant against Castle in the other semifinal, getting 19 kills from Liam York and 17 from Tyler Wemple in a 29-27, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of Castle. Kalaheo had occasional issues, but getting clean looks and good sets from Reggaen Eugenio (42 assists) was not one of them.

“Our serve-receive could’ve been better. We made some stupid mistakes,” said Kalaheo coach Sivan Leoni, who guided the Mustangs to their only OIA D-I title in 2005. “It’s going to be a fight for both sides.”

York was a flame-thrower from every angle, and even as Castle kept the ball in play over and over, he kept bringing heat, as did Wemple. Now Kalaheo will face a Moanalua defense that is as air-tight as any, with “overall ball control that is second to none,” according to Leoni.

“Anything goes on Wednesday,” said York, who will play at Springfield College (Mass.) next season. “We’ll have to play our best and peak at the right time.”

Moanalua coach Alan Cabanting is expecting a different look. His team swept Kalaheo early in the regular season, but that was under different circumstances.”

“They are a much different team this time around. Liam is back (from injury) and they’re looking more confident because of it. It’s going to be a good battle,” Cabanting said.
Kalaheo’s Tyler Wemple (8) celebrated after Reggaen Eugenio (11) put down a kill against Castle in the OIA D-I boys volleyball semifinals on Monday. Photo by Steven Erler/Special to the Star-Advertiser.

OIA Playoffs

Updated: Apr. 24

DIVISION I

Date

Home

Visitor

Time/Result

First round

4/17-G1

Waipahu* (W4)

Farrington (E5)

Far 25-20, 25-22, 24-26, 33-31

4/17-G2

Kaiser (E3)

Waianae (W6)

Kais 25-20, 14-25, 30-28, 20-25, 15-10

4/17-G3

Castle** (E4)

Radford (W5)

Cast 26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21

4/17-G4

Kapolei (W3)

Roosevelt (E6)

Kapo 25-16, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19

Quarterfinals

4/18-G5

Moanalua (E1)

Farrington

Moan 25-15, 25-22, 25-19

4/18-G6

Leilehua*** (W2)

Kaiser

Lei 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 25-16

4/18-G7

Mililani (W1)

Castle

Cast 21-25, 25-23, 24-26, 27-25, 15-13

4/18-G8

Kalaheo**** (E2)

Kapolei

Kalh 23-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-20

Consolation semis—@ Farrington

4/22-G9

Farrington

Kaiser

Far, 2-1

4/22-G10

Mililani

Kapolei

Mil, 2-1

Semifinals—@ Radford

4/22-G11

Moanalua

Leilehua

Moan 25-18, 25-21, 25-15

4/22-G12

Castle

Kalaheo

Kalh 29-27, 25-20, 25-22

Fifth place—@ Farrington

4/23—G13

Farrington

Mililani

Mil, 2-0

Third place—@ Farrington

4/23—G14

Leilehua

Castle

Lei

Championship—@ Radford

4/24—G15

Moanalua

Kalaheo

Moan 25-19, 22-25, 26-24, 26-24

DIVISION II

Quarterfinals—@ Nanakuli

4/17—G1

Nanakuli (W2)

Kailua (E3)

Nan 25-17, 25-8, 25-16

4/17—G2

Kaimuki (E2)

Pearl City (W3)

PC 20-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 16-14

Semifinals—@ Kahuku

4/18—G3

Kahuku (E1)

Nanakuli

Nan 23-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23

4/18—G4

Waialua (W1)

Pearl City

PC 19-25, 25-22, 25-1925-14

Championship—@ Radford

4/24—G5

Nanakuli

Pearl City

PC 25-20, 18-25, 25-21, 25-17

* — @ Kaiser

** — @ Kapolei

*** — @ Moanalua

**** — @ Mililani

COMMENTS

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Star-Advertiser's TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email hawaiiprepworld@staradvertiser.com.